Instead of paying US$ 90 to fill the tank of his Mercedes-Benz, the American used his creativity to drive around the neighborhood spending almost nothing on fuel
Pressured by the escalation in fuel prices, the American Mali Hightower found an unorthodox solution to reduce expenses with daily commutes: it converted a children’s toy from the Barbie line into a motorized and functional microcar.
The unusual project began when Hightower rescued from the trash a Power Wheels Dream Camper, a traditional pink plastic trailer made for children. Instead of restoring the toy’s original electrical system, he decided to radicalize. The plastic body was adapted and mounted on a kart chassis. To ensure propulsion, the American installed a small combustion engine, originally belonging to a high-pressure washer.
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The result is a very low-cost urban vehicle, specifically designed to cover short distances, such as trips to the supermarket and trips within one’s own neighborhood. The economic motivation behind the ingenuity is clear and mathematical. While the owner pays about $90 to fill the tank of his Mercedes-Benz convertible with premium gasoline, the estimated cost to fill the small tank of Barbie’s cart is no more than $3.
Despite the compact dimensions and playful origin, safety and comfort have not been totally neglected. The pink microcar was equipped with a four-point seat belt to secure the adult driver. In addition, the project received a complete lighting system, integrated sound equipment and even a tablet positioned on the dashboard for entertainment. The rear of the children’s trailer fulfills the function of a trunk, offering enough space to accommodate bags and small objects.
